Does your child suffer from asthma?

If you’re like most parents of children suffering from asthma, you’ve likely wondered whether the air in your home could be making things worse for your child. The National Center for Healthy Housing is conducting a study of Maryland families to look at just that connection – and they are looking for families to participate in the study.

Asthma attacks and symptoms are typically caused by the body’s reaction to a variety of asthma triggers such as pollen, dust mites, pests, mold spores, pet dander, and cigarette smoke, among others. Many triggers are always present in the home in low amounts. But when the concentration of a trigger gets too large, it can result in a worsening of asthma symptoms or even full-blown attacks.

Studies have shown that asthma attacks and symptoms can be reduced by avoiding certain triggers. This study embraces a holistic approach to reducing and removing known triggers from your home. By improving your home’s air filtering and ventilation, sealing air leaks and optimizing humidity, the study will test whether whole-house modifications reduce asthma symptoms and asthma-related doctor’s visits. Selected study participants will receive these enhancements to their homes at no cost. A stipend (up to $350) will be paid to all study participants.

The National Center for Healthy Housing is looking for families who:

• Have a child, ages 5 to 16, with asthma.
• Live in a single-family home or townhome in Maryland.
• Maintain private health (employer or ACA) insurance.

The study has been approved by the Chesapeake Institutional Review Board, and includes an advisory panel with physicians from Johns Hopkins and George Washington universities.

More information is available at www.HealthyHomeStudy.com. The study is accepting applications now through May 31, 2016.

By following best practices, we can work together to reduce triggers in your home so you and your child can breathe healthier air.